Detroit invited to bid on Democratic National Convention

Philip Elliott

11:16 PM, Apr 22, 2014

11:16 PM, Apr 22, 2014

Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama's hometown and Hillary Rodham Clinton's home base as a senator are among the 15 cities the Democratic National Committee is considering to host the party's presidential nominating convention in 2016, officials said Tuesday.

The DNC is inviting cities from Miami to Las Vegas to bid to host the party faithful for the made-for-TV festivities. Local officials have until June 6 to submit their proposals â or not, if a city declines â about how the city would partner with the DNC to stage the massive and costly event.

Democrats' decision is not expected until late this year or early in 2015. Most cities expect the convention to cost between $55 million and $60 million.

Various factors go into deciding where to plant the convention, most notably whether the city has the facilities to stage the pageantry and whether there are enough hotels to house the delegates and media who descend on the region, as well as the ease with which visitors can navigate the city.

In addition, weather has thwarted recent conventions. The Republican National Committee delayed the start of its 2012 convention in Tampa, Fla., because of Hurricane Isaac. Storms forced the Democrats that year to scrap and outdoor rally in Charlotte, N.C. The history would weigh on officials considering storm-vulnerable Atlanta, Miami and Orlando.

Some of the 2016 cities have obvious appeal for Democrats.

Obama calls Chicago home and he will be leaving the White House in early 2017. A Chicago convention could be a nod to his eight years in power and a boost for an Obama presidential library the city is aggressively courting.

At the same time, Clinton grew up the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, Ill. The former first lady, senator and secretary of state is considered an early front-runner for the Democrats' nomination if she should run for president in 2016.

Similarly, Clinton represented New York in the Senate from 2001 until she became the nation's top diplomat in 2009. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, accepted his party's presidential nomination during a 1992 convention in New York's Madison Square Garden.

And Vice President Joe Biden, who is leaving the door open to a 2016 campaign, represented Delaware for six terms in the Senate and grew up in Scranton, Pa. A convention in Philadelphia would be a nod to Biden.

Republicans, meanwhile, are also considering Las Vegas and Cleveland. Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, Mo., and Cincinnati also remain on the Republican National Committee's list of potential hosts.

The RNC eliminated Columbus, Ohio, and Phoenix from consideration and is expected to pick its venue this summer.

CNN first reported the Democrats' list of potential cities.

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Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.